The SmartSky air-to-ground networks is – finally – live. The company officially launched commercial operations at the NBAA conference in Las Vegas this afternoon, allowing its OEM and MRO to begin installations and complete additional STCs and Value Added Resellers to activate, connect, and serve customers.
Viasat Select goes direct for BizAv wifi
Business jet owners and operators can now purchase in-flight wifi service directly from Viasat with the launch of the company’s new Viasat Select offerings.
AirAsia boosts biometrics, super-app as Malaysia travel resumes
A 70% off sale like the one announced this week is enough to grab plenty of attention. But the bigger news from AirAsia as it resumes interstate operations is a major push to digital processes for travel, effectively eliminating paper documents for its guests.
Does an airline owe refunds for broken in-flight wifi?
Does an airline owe passengers a refund if their in-flight wifi doesn’t deliver? Currently that answer is murky. And at least one connectivity provider objects to language used in US Department of Transportation efforts to enact some consumer protection rules around their services.
Tata retakes Air India in privatization push
Nearly 70 years after Air India was nationalized, it will return to (a version of) its prior home. The government announced today that Tata Sons offered the successful bid for the privatization of the airline. The original operation was run by JRD Tata until the government took it over in 1953.
Bamboo Airways delays US launch plans
Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways now aims to launch service to the United States “at the end of December 2021.” The carrier previously indicated a goal of Q3 2021, but still awaits approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate flights to the USA.v
Eutelsat boosts OneWeb stake
Eutelsat invested an additional $165 million in OneWeb during the latest funding round. The move boosts its share form 17.6% to 22.9%, making it the second largest shareholder, after Bharti.
The British Airways A380 is back!
The British Airways A380 is officially coming back. The airline will use its largest aircraft to carry passengers to warm, sunny destinations as part of a significant rebound in long-haul service volume for the winter.
Plane Simple BizAv antenna launches from Satcom Direct, QEST
Business aviation integrator Satcom Direct completed testing of its new Plane Simple in-flight connectivity antenna solution, confirming full functionality of the kit across multiple satellites and geographies. Across three days of testing the aircraft flew for 16 hours, transitioning between three satellites on the Intelsat FlexExec network, including crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Status Check: Faster WiFi installing faster
How to get 300ish aircraft fitted with a new in-flight connectivity system in less than a year? Delta Air Lines and Viasat still intend to hit that target by the end of 2021, thanks to an aggressive schedule and cooperation between many parties.